Brunei Map / Geography of Brunei / Map of Brunei - Worldatlas.com Print this map The small country of Brunei Darussalam is situated on the northwestern edge of the island of Borneo, an island that is also a part of Indonesia and Malaysia . In fact, it once controlled much of Borneo, as well as the southern Philippines , and its regional influence peaked by the end of the 17th Century. The country entered a period of decline caused by internal fighting over royal succession, colonial expansion of European powers, and local piracy, and in 1578 was overrun by Spanish forces. By the 19th century much of Brunei's territory was lost to the White Rajahs of Sarawak, and the signing of the Treaty of Protection enabled Britain control of the country's external affairs. In 1888, Brunei became a British protectorate, following a dispute over who the rightful Sultan was, and remained as such for nearly a hundred years. During World War II, the Japanese occupied Brunei, completely demolishing the country's economy, and sparking fires on the oil wells of Seria.

Following the war a new government was formed under the British , and a new constitution was written in 1959. The people of Brunei began to grow restless with their new government, and in 1962 formed an uprising against the British forces. Quickly subdued by the United Kingdom , it wasn't until 1984 that Brunei gained complete independence from British ruling. The following decades saw significant economic growth, and Brunei has been remodeled into an industrialized nation. The country benefits from its extensive petroleum and natural gas fields, and this tax-free haven's citizens enjoy one of the highest (per capita) GDPs in the world. Politically, the same family has ruled the country of Brunei for over six centuries, and its legal system is based on English common law, with Islamic shariah law overruling in certain instances. Tourists to Brunei speak endlessly of the grand mosques, quiet river journeys and the virgin rainforests that cover over 70% of the nation's land, all of which cannot be missed if you choose to travel to this unique country.

See Also Brunei: Maps, History, Geography, Government, Culture, Facts, Guide & Travel/Holidays/Cities Democratic Reforms Slowly Introduced Geography About the size of Delaware, Brunei is an independent sultanate on the northwest coast of the island of Borneo in the South China Sea, wedged between the Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak. Government Constitutional sultanate. History Brunei was trading with China during the 6th century, and, through allegiance to the Javanese Majapahit kingdom (13th to 15th century), it came under Hindu influence. In the early 15th century, with the decline of the Majapahit kingdom and widespread conversion to Islam, Brunei became an independent sultanate. It was a powerful state from the 16th to the 19th century, ruling over the northern part of Borneo and adjacent island chains. But Brunei fell into decay and lost Sarawak in 1841, becoming a British protectorate in 1888 and a British dependency in 1905. Japan occupied Brunei during World War II; it was liberated by Australia in 1945.

The sultan regained control over internal affairs in 1959, but Britain retained responsibility for the state's defense and foreign affairs until 1984, when the sultanate became fully independent. Sultan Bolkiah was crowned in 1967 at the age of 22, succeeding his father, Sir Omar Ali Saifuddin, who had abdicated. During his reign, exploitation of the rich Seria oilfield had made the sultanate wealthy. Brunei has one of the highest per capita incomes in Asia, and the sultan is believed to be one of the richest men in the world. In Aug. 1998, Oxford-educated Prince Al-Muhtadee Billah was inaugurated as heir to the 500-year-old monarchy. Indonesia and Brunei Indonesia consists of over 17,000 islands and is the world's largest archipelago. Not only is Indonesia the fourth largest country in the world, but it's two largest islands, Borneo and Sumatra , are the third and sixth largest islands in the world.

The island of Borneo is about the size of Texas and is divided by three countries - Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei. The country of Brunei is the smallest of the Southeast Asian countries and is about the size of the US state of Delaware. The terrain throughout most of the islands is lowland coastal, but on the larger islands mountains and volcanoes can be found. Brunei consists of hilly lowlands in the western portions of the country, swamps along the coast, and mountains in the eastern part of the country. Indonesia is also a major oil producer and a large producer of tin. Brunei is a country rich in oil and in liquefied natural gas, though it lacks in other areas. The country is not able to support all of its needs for foodstuffs because of the lack of land and people to work the land, but agricultural development is on the rise because of government involvement and a desire to be self-sufficient in the future. The climate is suited for growing rice along the coasts and fruits and vegetables are grown in the interior of the country.

Forests cover three-quarters of Brunei and the government protects them from vanishing by limiting the amount of logging to meet local needs only (Government of Brunei, Economy). Population The population of Indonesia is the largest in Southeast Asia at 231.6 million people (World Population Data Sheet, 2007). The population of Brunei, however, is the smallest of the Southeast Asian countries with only 0.374 million people (World Population Data Sheet, 2007). In Indonesia the majority of the population is located on the islands of Java. Because of Java's large population the government has instituted a resettlement program that relocates the people to other islands. This migration has caused problems as the land of the indigenous people is taken over and a new culture and way of life is forced upon them. The population of Brunei is concentrated around the oil fields in the western corner of the country and in the capital city (Bandar Seri Begawan) in the east. With it's small population Brunei has had difficulty finding enough labor and has been forced to import from other countries. Climate The climate of Indonesia is a tropical one, hot and humid in most of the islands.

Exceptions can be found on the larger islands where the higher elevations affect the temperatures. The islands are subject to numerous natural hazards such as severe droughts, tsunamis, floods, earthquakes, and volcanoes. Brunei also has an equatorial climate with rainfall varying from 2,500 mm per year on the coast and 7,500 mm in the interior (Government of Brunei, Land and People). The People In Indonesia over 742 languages and almost every religion can be found somewhere in the country (wiki page). The official language is Bahasa, which is a modified form of Malay, which was instituted as the official language in 1949 when Indonesia gained its independence. The language is spoken by over 80% of the population as a first or second language while the rest of the country speaks English, Dutch, or a local indigenous language such as Javanese, which is spoken by 75 million people (wiki pages). The majority of the people in Brunei speak Malay, with a small population of English and various dialects of Chinese. The major religion of is Islam that accounts for 86% of the population (CIA World Factbook, Indonesia ).

Brunei is also a predominantly Muslim country (67%), with the Sultan as the head of faith. Other major religions found in the country are Buddhist (13%), Christian (10%), and various indigenous and other beliefs (10%) (CIA World Factbook Brunei ). The culture of Brunei is a mixture of influences from the four dominating periods of its existence- animism, Hinduism, Islam, and the Western influence, with Islam having the greatest affect on the philosophy and ideology of the people. In the Brunei Museum and the Malay Technology Museum elements of Brunei's past can be seen in the displays of bronze tools, wood carvings, cloth weaving, musical instruments, and women's jewelry (Government of Brunei, Language and Culture). The population celebrates a variety of holidays ranging from National Day (February 23) to traditional Islamic festivals to Teacher's Day (September 23). Economic Development The economic development of Indonesia has increased rapidly over the last 30 years, but the country still remains a poor one with a GNI PPP of $3,950 for 2007 (World Population Data Sheet, 2007).

Indonesia is an exporter of coffee, spices, tea, rubber, and palm oil products, which constitute for 13% of its exports (Bradshaw, 278). The economy of Brunei is relatively dependent upon its oil and natural gas production, though it is working on diversifying its interests because of the limited supply. The country is able to produce 65% of the vegetables it needs and 11% of the fruit it needs and has also become involved in rice production and cattle and buffalo ranches (Government of Brunei, Economy). There is also talk of making the fishing industry more highly developed, possibly with foreign assistance (Government of Brunei, Economy). Brunei is also concentrating on developing its tourism industry and is hoping to have at least one million people a year visit the country (Government of Brunei, Tourism). Demographic Analysis Indonesia Dutch Colonial Rule Indonesia was a colony of the Netherlands until December 27, 1949. The Dutch had ruled in Indonesia since 1515 and controlled all of the islands with the exception of East Timor, which was controlled by Portugal.

The importance of Indonesia as a Dutch colony was that the capital city of Indonesia (Jakarta) was used as the headquarters for exporting goods. The Dutch operated under the Dutch East India Trading Company and forced farmers to work on plantations to produce crops in demand such as coffee, sugar, and indigo, rather than trying to produce enough food to feed themselves. Political Rule Indonesia is a democratic republic with the capital city of Jakarta on the island of Java. It was ruled by a semi-dictatorial ruler named Sukarno after it gained its independence. Sukarno was forced to resign in 1967 and Suharto assumed rule. Suharto was forced to resign in 1997 when the United States came to Indonesia's aid. East Timor When Portugal granted East Timor independence it was taken over by Indonesia, who controls the western half of the island. The western half of the island is predominantly Muslim, while the east half is Catholic because of the Portuguese influence. The East Timorese went to war with Indonesia in 1975 and were forced in submission when Indonesia cut off their food supply. Another war erupted in 1999 that led to East Timor being given independence from Indonesia.

Brunei Oil Wealth The majority of Brunei's wealth comes from oil and liquefied natural gas production. It ranks as third in Southeast Asia in oil production and fourth in the world in natural gas production (Government of Brunei, Economy). Oil and natural gas accounts for about 36% of Brunei ï¿½s Gross Domestic Product in 1996. Political Rule At one time the reign of sultanate of Brunei extended over the islands of Sarawak, Sabah, and a portion of the Philippines. The country became a protectorate of Britain in the late nineteenth century. Britain allowed Brunei to establish a system of self-government in 1959, and Brunei gained full independence on January 1, 1984 (Government of Brunei, Brief History). Today, the country of Brunei is still a sultanate and operates under a written constitution. The current leader, Yang Di-Pertuan, has ruled since the country gained its independence in 1984. The sultan not only operates as the head of the government, but also as the head of the Islamic religion in Brunei (Government of Brunei, System of Government). PRB.

ï¿½Population Reference Bureauï¿½ . 2007. Wiki pages. Languages of . . As viewed on April 20, 2008. Review Questions 1. The island of Borneo is NOT shared by which of these countries: A) Malaysia, B) Philippines, C) Indonesia, or D) Brunei? 2. Where does the worlds only tropical island glacier exist: A) China , B) Brunei, C) Irian Jaya, or D) Sumatra ? 3. What is the major language of Brunei: A) English, B) Portuguese, C) Chinese, or D) Malay? 4. What percentage of the population of Indonesia lives on Sumatra: A) 40%, B) 60%, C) 9%, or D) 20%? 5. Which of the following Indonesian islands is the most populated: A) Sumatra, B) Java, C) Borneo, or D) Irian Jaya? 6. What product is NOT a major export of Indonesia: A) rice, B) rubber, C) tea, or D) coffee? 7.

What island did Indonesia acquire in 1962: A) Java, B) East Timor, C) Irian Jaya, or D) Sumatra? 8. Which of the following countries is ruled by a Sultan: A) Indonesia, B) Brunei, C) Neither, or D) Both? 9. What natural disaster will you NOT find occurring in Indonesia: A) Earthquake, B) Tsunami, C) Tornado, or D) Flooding? 10. What country formerly ruled East Timor: A) Netherlands, B) England, C) France, or D) Portugal? Eric Otte 4/11/2008 23 Interesting Facts About Brunei By Greg Rodgers Updated February 27, 2016. Most famous of the interesting facts about Brunei is the amount of gossip-fueling controversy that the Sultan has produced as a byproduct of his love life -- fans of soap operas pay attention! Where Is Brunei?

Official Name: Brunei Darussalam Brunei is a tiny, independent, oil-rich country wedged between the states of Sarawak and Sabah on the Malaysian side (northeast) of the island of Borneo in Southeast Asia. Brunei is considered a "developed" nation, and thanks to an abundance of oil, continues to prosper. Public debt in Brunei is zero percent of GDP. As of 2014, public dept for the United States was 106% of GDP. Some Interesting Brunei Facts The name Brunei Darussalam means "abode of peace" which is mostly true given the country's higher standard of living and longer life expectancy (average is 77.7 years) than many of their neighbors in Southeast Asia . In 2015, Brunei ranked higher on the Human Development Index (31st overall in the index) than all other countries in Southeast Asia aside from Singapore. continue reading below our video Before Your Road Trip, Watch This Brunei is considered to be the most observant Islamic nation in Southeast Asia. Beautiful mosques dot the country. Visitors are welcome inside of mosques outside of prayer times and with proper dress. Read more about etiquette for visiting mosques .

Much of Shell oil comes from offshore drilling platforms in Brunei. The 2015 per-capita GDP in Brunei was US $54,537 -- ranking them 10th in the world. The U.S. GDP in 2014 was US $54,629. Citizens in Brunei receive free education and medical services from the government. Brunei has one of the highest rates of obesity in Southeast Asia. An estimated 20% of schoolchildren are overweight. The literacy rate in Brunei is estimated at 92.7% of the population. Brunei passed a law in 2014 making homosexuality punishable by stoning to death. Caning is still a method of punishment for crimes in Brunei. Brunei is just a little smaller than the U.S. state of Delaware. The sale and public consumption of alcohol is illegal in Brunei, although non-Muslims are allowed to bring up to two liters into the country. Eight days after the attack on Pearl Harbor, the Japanese attacked and occupied Brunei to secure a source of oil. Brunei has one of the highest car-ownership rates (roughly one car per every two people) in the world.

Although the Federation of Malaysia -- which includes Brunei's neighbors of Sarawak and Sabah -- was formed in 1963, Brunei did not gain their independence from Great Britain until 1984. The Sultan of Brunei holds an honorary commission in the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force and Royal Navy. The Sultan also serves as Defense Minister, Prime Minister, and Finance Minister of Brunei. The Sultan's Controversial Love Life The Sultan of Brunei, one of the richest men in the world (at last estimate, his net worth was more than US $20 billion), has a tumultuous history: The Sultan married his first cousin, Princess Saleha. The Sultan's second wife was a flight attendant for Royal Brunei Airlines. He divorced his second wife in 2003 and removed her of all royal statuses. Two years later, the Sultan married a TV show host 33 years younger than himself. In 2010, the Sultan divorced the TV host and even took away her monthly allowance. In 1997, the royal family hired former Miss USA Shannon Marketic and a handful of other beauty queens to come model and entertain at parties.

The women were allegedly forced into prostitution to entertain royal guests for 32 days. Traveling to Brunei Despite having miles of beautiful coast, most travelers to Brunei only visit the capital city of Bandar Seri Begawan (population around 50,000). The roads and infrastructure in Brunei are excellent. Due to an abundance of oil and low fuel prices, local buses and taxis are the most cost-effective means of getting around. Brunei is typically a short stopover for travelers crossing by bus between the Malaysian Borneo states of Sarawak and Sabah. Nearby duty-free Labuan Island -- part of Sabah -- is an alternative route in and out of Brunei. Miri in Sarawak is the last major town in Borneo before crossing into Brunei. Visits of 90 days or longer require a travel visa before entering Brunei. Transit visas of 72 hours are available at the border. Travel in Brunei will be affected during Ramadan. Read about what to expect during Ramadan travel and important considerations for Ramadan . Population In July 2013, the population of Brunei was estimated to be only 415,717 people.

Religion Islam is the official religion in Brunei. Muslim: 67%; Buddhist: 13%; Christian: 10%; Other: 10% Language The official language of Brunei is Malay, although it differs from the Bahasa Malay spoken in Malaysia English, and Chinese are also spoken in Brunei. English is understood and used widely for business. Telephone Country Code: 673 The currency used in Brunei is the Brunei dollar (BND). U.S. Embassy in Brunei The U.S. embassy in Brunei is located in Bandar Seri Begawan. Simpang 336-52-16-9 Jalan Kebangsaan Bandar Seri Begawan BC4115, Brunei Darussalam. Telephone: (673) 238-4616 After hours: (673) 873-0691 Fax: (673) 238-4606 Brunei Map Brunei Map Where is Brunei ? Brunei in Southeast Asia is a sovereign state located on the north coast of the island of Borneo.

It is completely surrounded by the state of Sarawak, Malaysia and its coastline is with the South China Sea,also it is separated into two parts by the Sarawak district of Limbang. Disclaimer Close Disclaimer : All efforts have been made to make this image accurate. However Compare Infobase Limited,its directors and employees do not own any responsibility for the correctness or authenticity of the same. More Brunei Maps World Map in Malay History of Brunai Brunei is a microstate on the north coast of Borneo, a Southeast Asian island, shared by Malaysia and Indonesia. The official title of the country is Nation of Brunei, the Abode of Peace. Brunei's history dates back to at least the 7th century, being ruled by various empires over time, later becoming the Islamic sultanate of Brunei. As the empire declined, it eventually came under the rule of the British, and experienced a period of Japanese occupation before gaining independence in 1984. Legend has it that its name comes from the discoverer of the land, Awang Alak Betatar of Garang – whose exclamation “Baru nah” meant “That's it,” and later evolved into Brunei.

The evolution may have come about because of the Sanskrit word for the God of the ocean, “Varuna,” in a similar way to the island's name, Borneo. There are 4 major districts of Brunei: Belait, Tutong, Brunei-Muara, and Temburong. Neighboring Countries Brunei is bordered by the South China Sea, and otherwise completely surrounded by Sarawak, Malaysia, which actually divides the country of Brunei into two separate parts. Major Cities Bangar Geography Brunei is a small country, with an area of just 5,765 square kilometers (2,226 square miles). The major geographic features of this country are the long coastlines along the South China Sea, and the mountains of the Temburong District. Much of the land in Brunei is covered in rain forests and mangrove swamps. Along the border with Malaysia, the Pandaruan River runs, emptying into Brunei Bay. The Brunei River is a short but important river that runs along the residence of the Sultan of Brunei and serves as a main mode of transport in the area, as well as a fresh water source near the upper river.

Points of Interest Ulu Temburong National Park is one of its greatest treasures. Accessible by boat, the park offers a Canopy Walkway, which allows visitors to experience the Batu Apoi Forest from the treetops for amazing views. Visitors to Brunei will also enjoy a visit to the Istana Nurul Iman, a palace that is home to the Sultan of Brunei, and serves as the seat of government of the country. The palace holds the record for the world's largest palace. The mosques of Brunei are also a sight to see, particularly the Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque in Bandar Seri Begawan, which stuns with its architecture and is set along the Brunei River. Getting into Brunei is most commonly accomplished via Brunei International Airport, though ferry service allows connections to Malaysia at Brunei's main seaport, Muara. The country is fairly well connected by its road network, though parts of it are still under construction. Cars and taxis are a good option to get around, though they may be expensive. Transportation : Getting into Brunei is most commonly accomplished via Brunei International Airport, though ferry service allows connections to Malaysia at Brunei's main seaport, Muara.

The country is fairly well connected by its road network, though parts of it are still under construction. Cars and taxis are a good option to get around, though they may be expensive. A bus system is in place in the capital, Bandar Seri Begawan, but distance buses are limited and sometimes involve transfers. Many of Brunei's cities are small enough to get around on foot or by bicycle. Trivia Brunei is the 4th most Richest Country in the World based on GDP per capita. ACOD~20130820 Brunei - Country Profile - Negara Brunei Darussalam - Nations Online Project Flag of Brunei Location map of Brunei A virtual guide to Brunei, a small oil-rich sultanate along the northern coast of the island of Borneo, bordering the South China Sea and Malaysia . Brunei consists of two non-contiguous parts divided by a portion of the Malaysian state of Sarawak. The country shares maritime borders with China and Malaysia. Brunei has claimed a continental shelf/exclusive economic zone stretching 200 nautical miles from its coast, which extends Brunei territorial waters deep into the middle of the South China Sea.

Brunei occupies an area of of 5,765 km², the country is slightly larger than twice the size of Luxembourg , or slightly smaller than the U.S. state of Delaware . The country has a population of of 417,200 people (in 2015). National capital is Bandar Seri Begawan . Spoken languages are Bahasa Melayu (Malay, official), English, Chinese and native languages of Borneo. In 2014 Brunei became the first East Asian country to adopt strict Islamic sharia law. Get an overview of Brunei's art, culture, people, environment, geography, history, economy and its government. Ethnic groups: Malay, Chinese, other indigenous groups. Religion: Islam. Languages : Malay, English, Chinese; Iban and other indigenous dialects. Literacy: 94.7%. Natural resources: Oil and natural gas. Agriculture products: Rice, vegetables, fruits; livestock, forestry, fish. Industries: Petroleum, petroleum refining, liquefied natural gas, construction.

Exports - commodities: mineral fuels, organic chemicals Exports partners: Japan 35.9%, South Korea 14.8%, Thailand 10.8%, India 9.8%, NZ 5.6%, Australia 5% (2015) Imports - commodities: machinery and mechanical appliance parts, mineral fuels, motor vehicles, electric machinery Imports partners: Singapore 27.9%, China 25.3%, Malaysia 12.4%, UK 10.6%, South Korea 4.9% (2015) Currency: Bruneian Dollar (BND) More Brunei key statistical data. Note: External links will open in a new browser window. Official Sites of Brunei Brunei Darussalam country brief - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Brunei Darussalam country brief Brunei Darussalam country brief Overview The Sultanate of Brunei Darussalam is situated on the northwest coast of the island of Borneo. The capital, Bandar Seri Begawan, lies inland on the Brunei River. Brunei occupies 5,765 square kilometres and is divided into two parts, both of which are surrounded by the Malaysian state of Sarawak.

Relatively little of Brunei's landmass is cultivated and around 60 per cent is covered by primary forest. Brunei's coastline stretches for 161 kilometres along the South China Sea. Brunei's tropical climate is hot, humid and rainy. The average annual temperature is 27.1°C and the country receives an average of almost 2.9 metres of rain annually. The population of Brunei is estimated at 406,000 (Brunei Economic Development Board), about 67 per cent of whom are ethnic Malay. A further 15 per cent are ethnic Chinese and about three per cent are Indigenous. The relatively large population of foreign contract workers is drawn from Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines, as well as from South Asia. Bruneian Malay is the official language, although a sizeable minority speak Chinese dialects and English is widely used in commerce, education and government. The local variety of Malay (Kedayan or Bukit Malay) is different from standard Malay. Islam is the official religion of Brunei Darussalam and the Islamic faith permeates the social and cultural fabric of the country.

There are minority groups of Buddhists, Christians, Hindus and a small number of people who practise indigenous religions. Political overview Brunei's National Day is 23 February, a date which traditionally marks Brunei’s achievement of full independence from Britain. Its political structures are informed by the national philosophy of Melayu Islam Beraja (MIB), or Malay Islamic Monarchy. System of Government Brunei is constitutionally an absolute monarchy. It is ruled by the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, His Majesty Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah, who is both the Head of State and the Prime Minister. He is also the Head of the Islamic faith in Brunei. His Majesty is the 29th Sultan in one of the oldest continuous hereditary royal lines in the world. The Sultan's eldest son, His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, was proclaimed Crown Prince of Brunei Darussalam and heir to the throne of Brunei on 10 August 1998.

Political history Brunei achieved internal self-government in 1959 following a period of British rule when Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III (the father of the present Sultan) assumed executive authority. However, under Brunei's first Constitution written in 1959, the country's foreign relations remained under Britain's control. On 4 October 1967, Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III abdicated in favour of his 21 year-old eldest son, the present Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah. Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III passed away on 7 September 1986. In the District Council elections in July-August 1962, the Brunei People's Party (PRB) won 54 of the 55 seats. Then, in a September 1962 poll dominated by the PRB's campaign against Brunei's proposed absorption into the planned Malaysian Federation, the PRB won all the elected seats in the Legislative Council. The Sultan delayed convening the Legislative Council and affirmed his intention to take Brunei into Malaysia. In December the military wing of the PRB revolted.

The revolt was rapidly quelled with the assistance of British troops, its leaders forced into exile and the PRB banned. The elective provisions of the Constitution were suspended and no elections have been held since. Brunei ultimately declined to join the Malayan Federation due to disagreements over financial arrangements and difficulties in determining the rank of the Sultan among the Malay rulers. Under a November 1971 agreement, Brunei obtained full internal autonomy and ceased to be a protected state. Britain continued, however, to retain responsibility for Brunei's foreign relations and accepted a potential role in Brunei's defence. The two countries signed a Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation in 1979, terminating the 1971 agreement. They also committed to realising full independence for Brunei in 1984. His Majesty the Sultan of Brunei declared Brunei's political independence from Britain on 1 January 1984, with independence achieved on 23 February 1984. In 1984, Brunei's Government was restructured into a formal ministerial system with the Sultan as Prime Minister. The Sultan also serves as Minister of Defence and Minister of Finance.

He is advised by, and presides over, four policy councils: the Council of Cabinet Ministers, the Legislative Council, the Privy Council and the Religious Council. The Sultan appoints the members of each of these Councils. After a 20 year hiatus, the Sultan reconvened the Brunei Legislative Council on 25 September 2004, appointing 21 members. His Majesty then appointed a new Council with 29 members in September 2005. A 24 member Legislative Council was appointed for a five year term on 1 June 2011. The Crown Prince, His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, holds the position of Senior Minister of the Prime Minister's Office. The Sultan's brother, His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, is the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The thirteen other Cabinet Ministers are not members of the royal family. Brunei has one legal political party, the Parti Pembangunan Bangsa (National Development Party or NDP), which is small and has limited activity. Brunei's judicial system reflects the strong influence of British common law.

The Supreme Court comprises the High Court and the Court of Appeals, while the Subordinate Court consists of the Magistrates' Courts. The Chief Justice and Judges of Brunei's Supreme Court are sworn in by the monarch for three-year terms. In civil cases only, there is an avenue of appeal from the Court of Appeal of Brunei to the Sultan. By arrangement with the Queen of England, these appeals are heard by the UK’s Privy Council on behalf of the Sultan. Until 2014, the jurisdiction of the Islamic Courts, which coexist with the Supreme Court, was limited to family law and property matters for Muslims such as inheritance. In October 2013, the Sultan announced that a Syariah Penal Code would be phased in from April 2014. Under the Code, the jurisdiction of the Islamic Courts will expand to deal with offences and penalties prescribed in the Code. These offences include, but are not limited to, apostasy (abandonment of Islam), robbery, rape and murder. Penalties include, but are not limited to, death and corporal punishment.

The Code will mainly apply to Muslims, however non-Muslims may also be charged under the Code for certain offences including, but not limited to, drinking alcohol in public and adultery committed with a Muslim. The royal family retains a venerated position within the country and adverse comment regarding royal family matters is forbidden in Brunei. Foreign policy Brunei's foreign policy aims to promote national policies through bilateral and multilateral forums, by encouraging cooperation in all fields. The goal is to contribute towards peace, security, stability and prosperity in the region, particularly by fostering deeper understanding among countries. To this end, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) remains the cornerstone of Brunei's foreign policy. Brunei became a member of ASEAN in 1984. Brunei chaired ASEAN and the East Asia Summit (EAS) in 2013. The guiding principles of Brunei's foreign policy include: mutual respect for the territorial integrity, sovereignty, independence and national identity of all nations; recognition of the equality of all nations large and small; non-interference in internal affairs; peaceful settlement of disputes and cooperation for mutual benefit.

Brunei is active in a range of regional and multilateral forums, including Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), the East Asia Summit (EAS), the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting Plus (ADMM+), the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), the Forum for East Asia-Latin America Cooperation (FEALAC), and the Asia Cooperation Dialogue. It is a member of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the World Trade Organization (WTO), and joined the United Nations (UN) when it became independent in 1984. Brunei is a party to the Trans-Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership (P4), which entered into force in 2006, and also involves Chile, New Zealand and Singapore. The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Agreement negotiations, which also include Australia, the United States, Peru, Vietnam, Malaysia, Canada, Mexico and Japan in addition to the P4 members, seek to build on this Agreement. Australia and ASEAN will celebrate their 40th Anniversary of relations in 2014.

Bilateral relations Australia and Brunei enjoy a warm relationship dating back to well before 1959, when Brunei achieved internal self-government. The relationship has strengthened in recent years, with growing links across a range of areas including defence and security, education and trade. Brunei is an important partner for Australia in the Commonwealth, APEC, the EAS, the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement negotiations, and multilateral organisations such as the UN and WTO. Brunei was the ASEAN Coordinator in negotiations for the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (AANZFTA), which was signed in Thailand on 27 February 2009 and entered into force on 1 January 2010. In June 2005, Brunei's Foreign Minister, His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, agreed to an Australian proposal to erect a permanent memorial to mark the 1945 landings in Brunei of the Australian force, which ended Japanese occupation and commenced reconstruction. A delegation of Australian veterans, led by then Minister for Veterans Affairs, the Hon Alan Griffin , travelled to Brunei to attend the inauguration ceremony for the memorial in December 2008.

People to people links Australia is developing a strong education and training relationship with Brunei. It is keen to facilitate linkages between Australian and Bruneian education institutions, including increasing the number of Bruneian students undertaking Australian tertiary courses. Defence and security links Australia has a solid Defence relationship with Brunei, with avenues of engagement including strategic dialogue, bilateral military exercises and technical assistance. Military exercises conducted with the Royal Brunei Armed Forces include reciprocal army and navy exercises. Australia also provides some training and military expertise. On 15 February 2005, Australia and Brunei signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Cooperation to Combat International Terrorism during the visit to Australia by His Majesty the Sultan of Brunei. The MOU provides for cooperation on customs, finance, immigration, intelligence, law enforcement, security and transport. During the former Australian Federal Police Commissioner Mick Keelty's visit to Brunei in May 2008, the two countries signed an MOU on combating Transnational Crime and Developing Police Cooperation.

Economic overview Brunei's small, high-income, open economy is underpinned by revenue from the oil and gas sector, with per capita Gross Domestic Product (GDP) over US$40,800 in 2013. In 2012, oil and gas accounted for around 67 per cent of Brunei's GDP. Brunei's extensive foreign investments form a large, yet unreported contribution to the national budget. Small scale manufacturers and primary production (including agriculture, fisheries and forestry) make up the rest of Brunei's economy. Brunei imports nearly all of its major manufactured products and about 80 per cent of its total food requirements. Despite Brunei's high dependence on oil and gas, this sector employs only three per cent of the workforce. The public sector is by far the largest employer of Brunei's population, providing employment for over half the workforce. Brunei has a low tariff regime and no capital gains or personal income tax, although private businesses pay company tax. Company tax for oil and gas exploration and production companies is 55 per cent. For all other companies it is 22 per cent.

Brunei's monetary policy and banking regulation is administered by the Brunei Monetary Authority (AMBD), created in 2011, and the Brunei Dollar (BND) is pegged to the Singapore Dollar. Both currencies are legal tender in Brunei and Singapore. The Brunei Government is working towards diversifying the economy away from heavy dependence on oil and gas, by promoting private non-energy sector development and attracting more non-oil and gas related investment. The Brunei Economic Development Board (BEDB) was formed in November 2001 to stimulate the growth, expansion and development of the economy by promoting Brunei as an investment destination and facilitating diversification projects. In January 2008, the Brunei Government released its Vision 2035 (Wawasan 2035), which sets out the overarching goal of delivering economic diversification by 2035 and the broad development strategies that Brunei will pursue over this period. Five year National Development Plans (RKNs) then set out detailed project and budgets for delivering Vision 2035.

The RKN for the period 2012 to 2017 was announced in April 2012 and it continued to target an annual growth rate of 6 percent over the life of the Plan. Recent economic performance Following GDP contraction during the global financial crisis, Brunei has now experienced four consecutive years of GDP growth, including 1.4 per cent in 2013 and 0.9 per cent in 2012. This growth is due in part to more favourable external conditions and also to the large fiscal and current account surpluses built up in previous years. Economic outlook Brunei's heavy dependence on the oil and gas sector means that its economy is highly vulnerable to fluctuations in oil and gas prices. This dependence looks set to continue in the medium term. Brunei's existing oil and gas reserves are expected to last for at least the next two decades. A phase of extensive new exploration and investment in enhanced recovery has commenced, which includes the development of two major new offshore deep-water blocks. While it is still too early to determine precisely the size of any new reserves, the Brunei Government has publicly stated its ambitious target of doubling Brunei's daily oil and gas production by 2035.

Trade and investmentTrade and investment is an important focus of Australia's bilateral relationship with Brunei. Brunei was ranked as Australia's 39th largest merchandise trading partner in 2012-13, though this ranking likely understates the level of transhipped trade between Australia and Brunei via Singapore. Total direct bilateral trade with Brunei in 2012-13 amounted to $1.026 billion, with Australia's imports of crude petroleum from Brunei comprising $978 million. Australia's merchandise exports to Brunei in 2012-13 totalled $46 million, consisting mainly of food and food products including meat (excluding beef) ($6 million), live animals ($6 million), beef ($7 million) and measuring and analysing instruments ($3 million). In the services sector, a number of Australian teachers and other professionals work in Brunei. In 2012-13, Australia's service exports to Brunei (mainly education-related travel and transport) were worth $53 million. Australia is now the second preferred destination for Bruneian students, with approximately 400 students currently studying in Australia.

Australia’s New Colombo Plan was launched in December 2013 and will roll out gradually over the next few years to countries in the Indo-Pacific. The Plan aims to encourage Australian students to undertake study and internships in the region in order to lift Australia’s knowledge of the region and strengthen people-to-people links. A Tax Information Exchange Agreement (TIEA) was signed between Brunei and Australia in August 2013. The ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement On 27 February 2009 the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (AANZFTA) was signed in Thailand. As lead ASEAN Coordinator in the negotiations, Brunei played an important role in securing this Agreement. Good trade and investment opportunities exist in Brunei including in the oil and gas, education, food and agriculture, financial and service sectors. Austrade has identified potential opportunities for Australian suppliers of goods and services in a number of sectors. Austrade's Brunei country page has general information on doing business and on specific export opportunities. Austrade Brunei can also provide advice on accessing opportunities in Brunei.

Question: On which island is the country of Brunei?
Answer: BORNEO